Friday - Oct. 24 - Hope explosion reveals EV charging risks

Good morning,

Today, we're unpacking what went wrong when an EV charging station in Hope exploded last year, sending a Tesla driver flying.

A newly released safety report reveals it wasn't just one failure—it was a combination: a charging station that short-circuited and failed to shut down like it should have and an adapter that wasn't approved for use in Canada. The result was dramatic and dangerous, though the driver escaped with only minor injuries.

As EV charging stations become more common across the Fraser Valley, the Hope incident is a reminder of how critical proper installation and safety systems are.

– Emily

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Traffic & Weather

🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope | Mission

🚘 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google, and find DriveBC’s latest updates.

🛣 Click here for links to road cameras across the Fraser Valley, including those for the Coquihalla, Highway 7, Hope-Princeton, Fraser Canyon, and Highway 1 in Langley and Abbotsford.

Feature Story

EV charger explosion in Hope result of a combination of errors

A new report sheds light on last year’s shocking EV charger explosion in Hope that sent a Tesla driver flying. Investigators say a mix of electrical faults and an unapproved adapter led to the blast—but the adapter may not be to blame.

→ Read the full story.

Need to Know

🛣️ Municipal leaders authorized nearly $8.4 million for planning dozens of roadway expansions and cycling infrastructure improvements spanning Willoughby to Willowbrook, with total construction estimated above $85 million through 2030 [Langley Advance Times]

🏥 A century-old hospital support organization recruiting helpers for fundraising activities, patient assistance, and information services after contributing $7 million toward diagnostic equipment purchases [Chilliwack Progress]

☕ The touring British theatrical pair behind tea-themed comedies bring their seasonal production to Mission's performing arts venue next month as part of a 37-city tour [Mission City Record]

🏫 Ventana Construction and Thinkspace Architecture unveiled plans for a 1,500-capacity four-storey secondary school in Mission, with site preparation commencing mid-2026 and provincial funding totalling $175 million [Mission City Record]

⚡ An improper turning maneuver by a refuse collection vehicle damaged electrical infrastructure on 7th Avenue, triggering area-wide service interruptions as the truck reversed into a utility pole [Mission City Record]

💧 A legislative representative convened stakeholders including First Nations and agricultural producers to discuss waterway revitalization showing measurable pollution decreases and returning fish populations [Chilliwack Progress]

⚽ The men's varsity squad secured playoff positioning despite weekend defeats, preparing to face Calgary in quarter-final competition while the women's program wrapped its campaign [Abbotsford News]

🏘️ Municipal officials finalized approvals for multi-family residential construction on sloped Promontory terrain after satisfying geotechnical and hillside preservation requirements [Fraser Valley Today]

🚗 Two Chilliwack neighbourhoods will implement reduced velocity zones at 40 km/h during a year-long trial following evidence from other municipalities showing collision reductions [Fraser Valley Today]

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🗓 Things to do

Grandparents Day at Greendale Acres: Grandparents receive free admission on Friday, October 24th from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM at 41905 West Yale Road in Chilliwack, with general admission $16 online for accompanying family members to enjoy farm attractions and seasonal activities.

Malt and Mushrooms Walk: Locality Brewing hosts a guided fungus identification hike on Saturday, October 25th at 11:00 AM from 7111 252 St in Langley, with complimentary beer and snacks following the educational walk for $40.

Pumpkin Walk: A donation-based evening stroll through illuminated pumpkin displays and Halloween decorations takes place Saturday, October 25th from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Demonstration Garden (21177 Fraser Highway, Langley), with visitors encouraged to bring flashlights.

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Catch up

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